Smithsonian Photo Winners

Alternating Rice Plots in Bascon Valley by Hai Thinh Hoang: For this shot, the photographer had to climb a mountain for two hours and reach an altitude of 617 meters.Image: Hai Thinh Hoang

Visiting the Bronx Zoo by Vanessa Bartlett: As the photographer was taking shots of his habit, this gorilla skipped over to her and watched her watching him for an entire half hour.

Image: Vanessa Bartlett

An Onlooker Witnesses the Annular Solar Eclipse as the Sun Sets on May 20, 2012 by Colleen Pinski: In explaining her photo, the photographer was inspired by the eclipse because “anyone can look at it and feel touched by a ‘beyond this world’ experience.”

Image: Colleen Pinski

The Milky Way Galaxy Exploding from Mount Rainier by David Morrow: “The stars almost looked as though they were erupting from the mountain and I knew this was a moment in time that I had to capture,” says the photographer.

Image: David Morrow

Rice Terraces Close to Harvest Season by Vo Anh Kiet: Hundreds of photographers congregate at these ready-for-harvest rice terraces each year to attempt to capture the grain’s blossoming.

Image: Vo Anh Kiet

Monks Releasing Lanterns During Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thailand by Daniel Nahabedian: By releasing the lanterns, these monks are hoping their negative thoughts will be carried away, as well, allowing them to fully focus on the future.